Cream Cheese Chips Recipe

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These Cream Cheese Chips combine the luscious creaminess of cream cheese with a hint of sweetness, making them a must-have ingredient for anyone who loves to experiment in the kitchen.

How to make Cream Cheese Chips

Cream cheese chips are small, bite-sized morsels made from cream cheese or cream cheese-flavored ingredients.

Ingredients

To make your cream cheese chips, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

• Cream Cheese – 8 ounces (full-fat or reduced-fat work, but full-fat yields a richer flavor).
• Powdered Sugar – ⅓ cup (adjust for sweetness if you prefer less or more).
• Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon (optional for a touch of extra flavor).
• Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons (helps the chips maintain their shape).
• Butter – 2 tablespoons, softened (for added creaminess).
• Pinch of Salt – For balancing flavors.

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together using a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar gradually while mixing to create a thick, glossy base. Stir in the vanilla extract, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt to finish. The mixture should have a slightly thick and sticky consistency.

Step 2: Load the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or use a resealable plastic bag with a small corner cut out). Pipe small dots or “chips” onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Keep them small to mimic the size of store-bought chips.

Step 3: Place the tray in the freezer for 1–2 hours, or until the chips are completely solidified. This helps them retain their shape during baking and prevents them from melting too quickly.

Step 4: Once frozen, transfer the chips into an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store them in the freezer until ready to use in your recipes. Homemade cream cheese chips can typically last up to 3 months when kept frozen.

Tips for Perfection

Consistency is Key: Ensure your cream cheese mixture is thick, but not runny. Adding cornstarch helps solidify the chips during the freezing process.

• Adjust Flavor: If you want a more tangy flavor, use less powdered sugar or try adding a dash of lemon juice.
• Use Them Cold: Cream cheese chips can soften quickly at room temperature. For the best results, add them directly to batters from the freezer.
• Experiment: Feel free to flavor the chips with almond extract, cinnamon, or cocoa powder for unique variations.
• Baking Note: Cream cheese chips melt slightly faster than chocolate chips, so use them in recipes that bake at lower temperatures for a short duration (e.g., cookies and blondies).

What to serve with

Cream cheese chips are not only versatile but also incredibly fun to play with when pairing them with other ingredients. Their tangy, creamy flavor complements a variety of sweet treats, savory snacks, and even beverages.

1. Baked Goods

Cream cheese chips shine when added to baked goods, offering pockets of tangy flavor amid rich, sweet textures. Here’s how to use them:

• Cookies: Add cream cheese chips to classic chocolate chip cookie dough or oatmeal cookies for a unique twist. The softness of the cookies paired with the creamy tang is irresistible!
• Brownies: Sprinkle them into brownie batter to create creamy bursts in the fudgy chocolate base. For a stunning visual and textural contrast, swirl them into cheesecake brownies.
• Muffins & Cupcakes: Fold the chips into your favorite muffin or cupcake batter for extra creaminess. They’re especially delightful in vanilla or lemon muffins.

2. Desserts

Cream cheese chips can elevate desserts to new heights with their decadent flavor:

• Ice Cream Topping: Use frozen cream cheese chips as toppings for scoops of vanilla, strawberry, or caramel ice cream. Their cold, creamy texture blends beautifully with the smoothness of the ice cream.
• Pancakes and Waffles: Sprinkle cream cheese chips over warm pancakes or waffles, letting them melt slightly into the batter for a gooey, indulgent experience.
• Cheesecake Bars: Enhance cheesecake bars or add cream cheese chips on top of a cream cheese layer for double the creamy impact.

Ingredients Substitutes

Cream cheese chips are a delightful addition to various desserts and snacks, but sometimes you may find yourself without specific ingredients or may want to try healthier alternatives.

1. Cream Cheese Substitutes

Cream cheese is the star ingredient in cream cheese chips, providing the signature tangy, creamy flavor. If you need to substitute cream cheese, consider these options:

• Neufchâtel Cheese: Similar in flavor and texture but with lower fat content, Neufchâtel can be used in a 1:1 ratio.
• Ricotta Cheese: For a lighter and slightly grainier texture, use whole milk ricotta cheese. Blend ricotta until smooth to match the texture of cream cheese.
• Greek Yogurt (Full-Fat): Provides a tangy flavor similar to cream cheese. Use strained Greek yogurt to achieve a thicker consistency. Substitute at a 1:1 ratio but expect a slightly different texture.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Less tangy but exceptionally creamy, mascarpone can substitute cream cheese in equal parts. Adjust sugar if needed as mascarpone is milder.

2. Butter Substitutes

Butter is often used in combination with cream cheese to create smooth, creamy chips. Here are some substitutes:

• Coconut Oil: Particularly useful in baking, coconut oil provides a rich texture and can be used as a substitute for butter at a 1:1 ratio. Note the slight coconut flavor it imparts.
• Margarine: A common substitute for butter, margarine works well but may alter the flavor slightly. Use it in equal amounts.
• Vegan Butter: For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter at a 1:1 ratio. Be aware of any added flavors or ingredients in the vegan butter.

3. Sweeteners

Sugar is typically added to balance the tang of cream cheese. Here are alternative sweeteners:

• Honey: Adds a unique flavor and sweetness. Use slightly less honey than the amount of sugar called for, as honey is sweeter (replace 1 cup of sugar with ¾ cup of honey).
• Maple Syrup: Offers a distinct flavor and can replace sugar in equal amounts, but adjust other wet ingredients due to its liquid form.
• Agave Nectar: Less viscid than honey but sweeter than sugar. Substitute at a ¾ cup ratio for every cup of sugar.
• Stevia: A low-calorie option. Since this sweetener is much more potent, use about ¼ teaspoon of stevia extract for every cup of sugar required.

4. Flavor Enhancers

Vanilla extract and other flavorings help enhance the overall taste. Here are substitutions:

• Vanilla Bean Paste: Offers a more concentrated vanilla flavor. Use half the amount compared to vanilla extract (1 teaspoon of extract = ½ teaspoon of paste).
• Almond Extract: Provides a nutty flavor, but is stronger than vanilla. Use it sparingly; typically, ½ teaspoon of almond extract can replace 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
• Lemon Zest or Lemon Juice: For a tangy twist, use lemon zest or juice. Adjust the quantity based on your preference but start with small amounts (¼ teaspoon of zest for every teaspoon of vanilla).

5. Stabilizers

Cornstarch or flour helps in stabilizing the mixture when creating chips:

• Arrowroot Powder: Acts similarly to cornstarch. Use it in equal amounts when substituting.
• Potato Starch: Can replace cornstarch at a 1:1 ratio. It provides a similar texture but may have a slightly different consistency.
• Tapioca Flour: A great alternative for both thickening and stabilizing. Use it in equal amounts as cornstarch.

Final Thoughts

With these homemade cream cheese chips, your baked goods will have an extra layer of flavor and texture that’s sure to impress.